[Gender biases in Chilean clinical guidelines].

Area of Science:

• Health equity
• Clinical practice guidelines
• Sex and gender differences in medicine

Background:

• Sex and gender significantly influence disease presentation and treatment outcomes.
• A gender-differentiated approach is crucial for effective clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess gender biases within Chile's Explicit Health Guarantees (GES) program CPGs.
• Evaluate the incorporation and correct application of sex and gender variables in these guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed 85 GES CPGs published between 2005 and 2019.
• Utilized keyword analysis and a five-group classification system (Tannenbaum et al.) to assess sex/gender variable integration.
• Evaluated the accurate use of sex and gender concepts.

Main Results:

• Only 25% of CPGs included specific sex-based recommendations (Groups 1 & 2).
• A mere 2% incorporated sex-specific parameters for diagnostic tests (Group 3).
• 61% superficially mentioned sex/gender, primarily in epidemiology, without differential management strategies (Groups 4 & 5).
• While 62% used concepts appropriately, 22% misused them, and 17% omitted them entirely.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender biases are prevalent across the majority of GES guidelines.
• There is a critical need to enhance CPGs to reflect sex and gender differences for equitable healthcare.